Columbia University and Barnard College are facing serious allegations regarding their handling of antisemitism on campus, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday. The lawsuit suggests a long history of the institution’s indifference towards escalating antisemitism incidents, especially those that put Jewish students at risk.
The suit was filed in the wake of reported harassment and violence against Jewish students, allegedly spurred by events following the Hamas-led killings in Israel on Oct. 7. Pandora’s box appears to have been opened, revealing a wound that the University and College have supposedly left untreated for a significant length of time.
The lawsuit alleges the schools have failed to adequately respond to, prevent, and protect students from this violence. It is part of broader conversations happening around antisemitism, its presence in educational institutions, and the steps needed to address it effectively.
Further details of the lawsuit and subsequent developments can be found at Law360.